Staff writer
Centre students returning to school Sept. 9 will have the option to meet in classrooms unless or until COVID-19 active cases rise to 2.99% of the school population, at which time they would switch to all online classes.
If a student in one classroom is exposed to the virus, all the students in that classroom will be and separately transported to and from school.
“We would do this at the bidding of the Marion County Health Department,” superintendent Susan Beeson said. “We can’t quarantine anyone. We don’t have that authority.”
Masks will be required in classrooms, but students will be given breaks. Tables in classrooms will be divided with Plexiglas to keep students separated, and individual tables will be lined with Plexiglas on three sides.
Physical education classes will be outside.
Students learning online will be required to keep a log of their time and completion of assignments.
Social distancing, hand washing, and use of hand sanitizer will be enforced.
There will be no serving line for breakfast or lunch meals. Meals will be pre-packaged. Elementary school students will pick up their meals at the Centre Perk concession stand and eat them in their classrooms. High school students will be spaced throughout the lunch room and other open areas.
Students will not use lockers but will keep supplies in book bags.
Buses will be required to be cleaned after every use. Drivers will receive handheld thermometers to take temperatures as students board.
Students riding to activities will be spaced. This may require more buses.
“If they play together, why can’t they sit together,” board member Thien Antoszyk asked during a long discussion of the plans at Monday night’s school board meeting. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Rules will be promoted to the staff and posted online.
“We’re dealing with multiple, complex problems to keep everyone safe,” Beeson said. “I just think we’ll do the best we can.”
The district expects to receive a subsidy of $82,443 toward COVID-19 expenses.